- Originally a contraction of biological diversity, biodiversity refers to the global variety of life across ecosystems. (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy)
1. What is the general status of Biodiversity?
- “biodiversity is in decline at all levels and geographical scales”(Global Biodiversity Outlook 2)
2. How is Biodiversity helpful?
- Biodiversity allows for the survival of different species in a way that a monoculture cannot. For example, if a disease wipes out 99% of a diverse species, the surviving 1% can survive and reproduce. In addition, it provides for a more stable environment
Invasive Species
1. What are invasive species?
- Invasive species are non-native or exotic species introduced into an environment by humans and have a negative impact on the local environment. (ActionBioscience)
2. How are invasive species introduced?
– Invasive species are generally introduced by humans for a variety of reasons. Intentional reasons include introducing species for hunting (such as the nile perch) or for commercial fishing. Unintentionally, invasive species may escape from farms, ships, or other forms of transport, and through the illegal importation of exotic animals. Invasive species reproduce at high rates, are competitive for resources, and can adapt to various habitats. In other words they fill a niche of a pre existing species. Regions with low biodiversity such as islands are more susceptible to invasive species. (Invasive Species)
3. Examples of invasive species?
– the brown tree snake, the wild boar, & the nile perch
4. How can we control invasive species?
– The best way to control invasive species in many cases is eradication
5. Are invasive species threatening Biodiversity?
-Yes Invasive species destroy ecosystems. The destruction of ecosystems leads to the destruction of native species.
Economic Impact
1. Do invasive species affect the economy?
- Yes, Cornell University estimated economic damages for the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, India, South Africa, and Brazil to be in excess of $336 billion per year.
2. How do invasive species affect the economy?
-They can affect people’s livelihoods when they enter an ecosystem and damage a valuable resource. It costs money to control invasive species population.
Conclusion
1. Are invasive species controllable
- Invasive species are controllable. However a community wide effort will be required to eradicate invasive species.
2. What can and should be done to curtail invasive species?
- To curtail invasive species we must alert the habitants of areas in which invasive species are present. The inhabitants must learn that what invasive species are and their harmful effects. The invasive species must then be destroyed. (Invasive Species Drive Biodiversity Loss)
- Originally a contraction of biological diversity, biodiversity refers to the global variety of life across ecosystems. (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy)
1. What is the general status of Biodiversity?
- “biodiversity is in decline at all levels and geographical scales”(Global Biodiversity Outlook 2)
2. How is Biodiversity helpful?
- Biodiversity allows for the survival of different species in a way that a monoculture cannot. For example, if a disease wipes out 99% of a diverse species, the surviving 1% can survive and reproduce. In addition, it provides for a more stable environment
Invasive Species
1. What are invasive species?
- Invasive species are non-native or exotic species introduced into an environment by humans and have a negative impact on the local environment. (ActionBioscience)
2. How are invasive species introduced?
– Invasive species are generally introduced by humans for a variety of reasons. Intentional reasons include introducing species for hunting (such as the nile perch) or for commercial fishing. Unintentionally, invasive species may escape from farms, ships, or other forms of transport, and through the illegal importation of exotic animals. Invasive species reproduce at high rates, are competitive for resources, and can adapt to various habitats. In other words they fill a niche of a pre existing species. Regions with low biodiversity such as islands are more susceptible to invasive species. (Invasive Species)
3. Examples of invasive species?
– the brown tree snake, the wild boar, & the nile perch
4. How can we control invasive species?
– The best way to control invasive species in many cases is eradication
5. Are invasive species threatening Biodiversity?
-Yes Invasive species destroy ecosystems. The destruction of ecosystems leads to the destruction of native species.
Economic Impact
1. Do invasive species affect the economy?
- Yes, Cornell University estimated economic damages for the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, India, South Africa, and Brazil to be in excess of $336 billion per year.
2. How do invasive species affect the economy?
-They can affect people’s livelihoods when they enter an ecosystem and damage a valuable resource. It costs money to control invasive species population.
Conclusion
1. Are invasive species controllable
- Invasive species are controllable. However a community wide effort will be required to eradicate invasive species.
2. What can and should be done to curtail invasive species?
- To curtail invasive species we must alert the habitants of areas in which invasive species are present. The inhabitants must learn that what invasive species are and their harmful effects. The invasive species must then be destroyed. (Invasive Species Drive Biodiversity Loss)
Pat O'Brien, Field McMillan, and Park MacDougald.
Pagad, s. (2008, May 6). Invasive species drive biodiversity loss. Retrieved from http://www.worldwatch.org/node/5473
(2009, July 9). Invasive species: animals. Retrieved from http://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/animals/main.shtml
Simberloff, Daniel. (2000). Introduced species: the threat to biodiversity & what can be done (actionbioscience). Retrieved from http://www.actionbioscience.org/biodiversity/simberloff.html
Djoghlaf, A. (Photographer). (2009). Global biodiversity outlook [Web]. Retrieved from http://www.cbd.int/doc/gbo/gbo2/cbd-gbo2-en.pdf
(2007, February 9). Invasive species. Retrieved from http://alic.arid.arizona.edu/invasive/sub5/index.shtml